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How to Run a Successful Crowdfunding Campaign and Raise the Startup Capital you Need

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How to Run a Successful Crowdfunding Campaign and Raise the Startup Capital you Need | SME South Africa

Within just a few hours of taking their equity crowdfunding round live on Uprise.Africa, Drifter Brewing Company, Cape Town-based craft beer manufacturers, raised more than a million rand in growth capital to help accelerate their expansion and push their brew into global markets

The company went on to further raise a total of R3,889,000 from 235 local investors by the end of their campaign.

Drifter’s success is proof of a well-executed crowdfunding campaign – they had compelling story to tell, made use of their networks and publicised their crowdfunding offer.

With more crowdfunding platforms coming into the South African market – each offering a diverse range of benefits – it’s important for entrepreneurs who are looking to take advantage of this option to do it right.

 

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What’s better than drinking beers with your friends? How about owning the beer you’re drinking?! We’ve still got a limited number of shares on our Equity Crowdfunding campaign through Uprise.Africa. Minimum investment is R1000! Only 9 more days to go so don’t miss your opportunity to own a part of our growing brewery! Check link in bio ? . . . #drifterinvest #drifterbrewing #investment #crowdfunding #equity #upriseafrica #entrepreneur #brewery #woodstockcapetown #goingglobal #ownyourbeer #friendsofdrifter

A post shared by Drifter Brewing Company (@drifterbrewing) on

Every successful campaign takes three things – time, money and commitment to run your campaign.

To find out what else is needed to run a killer campaign, take this advice from Lisa Young and Sasha Benjamin from one of South Africa’s oldest crowdfunding platforms, Thundafund, from an interview last year.

1. Deliver a winning pitch

  • A campaign pitch that explains the ‘who, what, where, how and why’ of your campaign.
  • A maximum 1 – 3 minute pitch video.

2. Knowledge of your backers/potential investors

  • A thorough understanding of your target audience.
  • Between 4 – 8 unique project-related reward for backers that are in the form of retail, recognition and/or experience. In the case of equity crowdfunding, backers invest in early-stage businesses in exchange for equity

3. PR and marketing

  • An active, updated and engaged social media presence such as a Facebook Business Page people can like and a Twitter account.
  • A marketing and PR ‘campaign plan’ covering pre-launch, launch, mid-campaign, pre-closure and closure.
  • A fundraising/marketing savvy campaign team-leader and/or team.
  • Thorough research on previous similar successful campaigns.

4. Use your network and understand audience

  • Inform your immediate network of your soon-to-be campaign and excited them about backing your campaign upon its launch.

5. Time

  • A realistic, suitable and defined crowdfunding goal.
  • A set time-limit suitable to your crowdfunding goal and campaign mission.
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Tshepho Joel

Tshepho Joel is an experienced digital strategist with a proven track record of lifting user retention, leads, and revenue. Drawing on a robust background in performance marketing, he brings a data-driven, results-first eye to his work. Above all, he is dedicated to helping South African entrepreneurs start, fund, and grow their businesses.

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